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Grilled Asparagus salad is an easy spring salad with homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing. If you haven’t tried asparagus on salad before, you need to try this!
Say hello to a beautiful bowl of the perfect spring salad! This grilled asparagus salad starts with a bed of greens — I used baby spinach and baby arugula. Then it’s topped with cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan cheese, beautiful grilled asparagus, and the most delicious homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing.
My love for asparagus runs deep. This is a beautiful salad to serve for Easter dinner, or topped with grilled chicken for a simple weeknight meal. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Let’s make this together! ❤️-Ashley
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Pin It NowCombine grilled asparagus with a refreshing lemon vinaigrette to create the ultimate summer salad!
How to Make Grilled Asparagus Salad
Here is a brief overview of how this asparagus salad comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Prepare the asparagus. Toss the clean trimmed asparagus spears with olive oil and lightly season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Grill the asparagus. Grill on the grill or using a grill pan on the stove for 7-10 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender. Remove the asparagus from the grill and cut into smaller pieces for the salad. Set aside to cool.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Prepare the greens. Wash and dry the greens (use a salad spinner if you have one) then arrange the greens in a bowl or on a large plate.
- Put it all together. Top the greens with halved cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan cheese, and grilled asparagus. Add the desired amount of homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing and toss the salad. Enjoy!
Using a Salad Spinner
A salad spinner is a kitchen tool designed to quickly and efficiently wash and dry salad greens and other vegetables. It typically consists of a bowl with a perforated inner basket or colander and a lid with a built-in spinning mechanism. Place your freshly washed greens or vegetables into the inner basket of the salad spinner. The perforations in the basket allow water to flow through while containing the produce. Not only does the salad spinner agitate the greens in water which helps to dislodge any dirt, debris, or residual pesticides, but it also has a spinning mechanism that pulls excess water off the greens and vegetables and into the outer bowl.
The greens or vegetables are now clean, dry and ready to use. Since the spinning action of the salad spinner helps to remove excess moisture from the produce, it not only makes it easier to serve and enjoy, but also helps to extend its shelf life by reducing the risk of wilting or spoilage.
Choosing and Preparing Asparagus
Asparagus is at its peak freshness during the spring months, typically from March to June here in the midwest. When choosing asparagus for any recipe, look for firm, straight asparagus spears with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid any bunches that appear wilted or limp and choose asparagus with vibrant green color
To prepare your asparagus, start by rinsing and patting them dry with a paper towel. Gently bend an asparagus spear until it naturally breaks. Discard the end, then trim all of the asparagus to the same length. If you prefer to roast your asparagus in the oven, you can do that instead of grilling it.
Easy Grilled Asparagus
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
This asparagus salad is tied together with a refreshing lemon vinaigrette dressing. The homemade dressing comes together with simple ingredients and has the best flavor that compliments the asparagus and other salad ingredients.
Store the dressing separately from the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good shake or stir as it may settle as it sits.
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
Making Ahead and Storing Leftovers
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but some of the prep can be done ahead of time. The dressing can be made up to three days in advance and the asparagus can be grilled a day in advance. I don’t recommend putting the salad all together until you are ready to enjoy or serve, as the greens will get soggy from sitting in the dressing too long.
Other Salad Recipes
If you make this grilled asparagus salad or any of my other salad recipes, please leave a comment and let me know what you think. It makes my day to hear from you!
Grilled Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
Grilled Asparagus Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus spears ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- zest from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (strained to remove seeds and pulp)
- zest from 1 lemon
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sour cream or Greek yogurt
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens I used spinach and arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 6 ounces shaved parmesan cheese
- 1 pound grilled asparagus
- lemon vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
Grilled Asparagus Instructions
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium to medium-high heat (around 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Rinse asparagus, pat dry with paper towels, then trim the ends. Gently bend an asparagus spear until it naturally breaks. Discard the end, then trim all of the asparagus to the same length.
- Toss asparagus with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and the zest from 1 lemon.
- Place the asparagus on the grill, making sure to place the asparagus perpendicular to the grill grates so that they don't fall through.
- Grill for 7-10 minutes, or until asparagus is tender, making sure to rotate the asparagus as it cooks.
- Check for tenderness by piercing an asparagus spear with a fork.
- Remove asparagus from the grill and cut into smaller pieces for the salad. Set aside to cool.
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar add ½ cup fresh lemon juice, the zest from a lemon, olive oil, salt, Italian seasoning, honey, dijon mustard, and sour cream or greek yogurt.
- Whisk to combine.
Grilled Asparagus Salad Assembly
- Prepare the grilled asparagus.
- Make the lemon vinaigrette dressing.
- Wash and dry the greens (use a salad spinner if you have one) then arrange the greens in a bowl or on a large plate.
- Top with halved cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan cheese, and grilled asparagus.
- Add desired amount of homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing, toss the salad, then serve.
